I just have to jump in. A few weeks ago, I was "with you." Critters in the house???
I know that alot of BYC folks are enthusiastic, to put it mildly, and love to have a brooder on the diningroom table and a couple of ducks in the bathtub. I was not thinking that it was my thing at all. In fact, the guy at my local feed store helped my DD guilt me into having my chicks in the house. (For the record, they are in the basement).
I AM GLAD I DID IT. When I hear a noise outside, I don't have to run out to check on them. I peek in when I am near. I am spending time with them on my terms; changing paper towels & feeding them in my bathrobe, if I want. They are not so much trouble and alot of fun. I have noticed very little smell, as I freshen up the brooder 3X daily.
Do you HAVE TO have chicks in the house? No, I suppose not. If they are to be pets, I would very much recommend it.

I think it is best when they are young to have them in the house this way they become more imprinted in you and are a lot more calm and even loving at times. I kept my RIRs in the house until they were about 3 months old & then I built them a temperary coop outside. It is very much worth the effort.

Okay, we have a bed room that not used, but we have two dachshund that got real good nose's. They will probable stay at the door and it will drive them crazy. Your right I'll probably be worried about them because I'm planning to start small.
Thanks

I start mine in the house as well for all the reasons that everyone else explained, and also if something does go wrong you can fix it right away. I had a baby jump out of the brooder box I heard him crying right away could go get him and put him back in and secure the top so it didnt happen again, had they of been outside he probably wouldn't have made it.

Mine started in the shed and now reside on the screened porch. We moved them to the porch after we had a spell of warm days in late April and the shed became too warm during the day. They still bonded with me because I have been out there all the time checking on them or just watching them.
Keeping them in the house was not an option for me and they have done more than fine; they've thrived.